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Former Indian batsman Sanjay Manjrekar has publicly criticized the Indian team management's decision to demote Sarfaraz Khan to No. 8 in the ongoing third Test against New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Manjrekar, now a prominent cricket commentator, took to social media platform X to express his disapproval of the move, highlighting Sarfaraz's impressive form and his ability to play spin bowling. He questioned the rationale behind pushing back a player who has consistently performed well in his first three Tests, including a significant 150-run score in the Bangalore Test, and who excels against spin bowling. The move to maintain a left-right batting combination, according to Manjrekar, does not justify sacrificing a player of Sarfaraz's caliber and potential.
In the first innings of the third Test, Ravindra Jadeja was promoted ahead of Sarfaraz, but he failed to capitalize on the opportunity, scoring only 14 runs before getting out. Sarfaraz, batting at No. 8, was unable to open his account, falling for a duck. The decision to promote Jadeja over Sarfaraz has further fueled Manjrekar's criticism, as he believes it contradicts the team's objective of maximizing their chances of victory. He views the move as a poor call by the Indian team management. This incident isn't the first time Manjrekar has expressed his disapproval of the team management's decisions regarding Sarfaraz. During the previous Test, he also voiced his concerns about the team's decision to prioritize Washington Sundar over Sarfaraz in the batting order.
The ongoing Test series against New Zealand has seen India taking a first-innings lead thanks to contributions from Shubman Gill, who narrowly missed out on a century, and Rishabh Pant. However, the controversy surrounding Sarfaraz's position in the batting order has become a major talking point in the series. Manjrekar's outspoken criticisms raise questions about the team's strategy and whether they are making the most of their available talent. The debate surrounding Sarfaraz's batting position, his form, and the team's decision-making process will likely continue to be a topic of discussion throughout the series.
Source: Sanjay Manjrekar Slams Team India For Changing Sarfaraz Khan's Batting Position